New cancer treatment that slashes risk of death by a quarter gives fresh hope to thousands in ‘major step forward'
The treatment, which can slash the risk of death by 26 per cent, was given the green light for widespread NHS use.
1
Just 15 per cent of women live for five years if they have been diagnosed with advanced endometrial cancer - a cancer which usually starts in the lining of the womb.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has now made a treatment, called pembrolizumab, available on the NHS in England for people with advanced or recurring endometrial cancer.
The drug can slow down cancer growth and improve survival odds, health officials said.
NICE estimates that around 2,100 women will benefit from the treatment each year.
It said that its approval of the treatment marks a "major step forward" in treatment for women with this type of cancer.
Pembrolizumab, also known as Keytruda and made by Merck Sharp and Dohme, is an immunotherapy drug.
This is a type of treatment that mobilises the body's own immune system to fight cancer.
The drug is delivered in a drip alongside chemotherapy drugs carboplatin and paclitaxel and can be given to patients for up to two years.
According to NICE, clinical trials show the combination of treatments reduced the risk of death by 26 per cent compared to chemotherapy alone.
The drug combo can also slow down cancer progression, the regulator added.
Cervical cancer warning signs you should NEVER ignore, with Doctor Philippa Kaye
Helen Knight, director of medicines evaluation at NICE, said: "For people with advanced endometrial cancer, this innovative combination offers a powerful new treatment option.
"It marks a major step forward, and we're pleased to recommend it as part of our commitment to getting the best care to people, fast, while ensuring value for the taxpayer."
Around 9,700 women are diagnosed with endometrial cancer - also known as womb or uterine cancer - each year, making it the most common gynaecological cancer in the UK, according to NICE.
The disease is most common in older women.
Womb cancer symptoms
Cancer of the womb is often called uterine or endometrial cancer.
Symptoms include:
Bleeding after the menopause
Bleeding that is unusually heavy or persistent between periods
Abnormal vaginal discharge (this might be pink)
Anaemia
High platelet count
High blood sugar levels
Stomach pain
Swollen tummy
Bloating
Change in bowel or bladder habits
A new cough
Being overweight or obese is one of the biggest risks of womb cancer, according to Cancer Research UK.
Other risk factors include age (most women diagnosed are aged 75 to 79) as well as being on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and having diabetes or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Having too much of the hormone oestrogen is thought to raise your risk of womb cancer, according to the Eve Appeal.
Fat cells in the body store oestrogen, even after the menopause and obesity has been linked to womb cancer because of its effect on oestrogen levels.
It's not always possible to prevent womb cancer, but some things are thought to reduce your risk, like maintaining a healthy weight.
Its most common symptom is abnormal bleeding from the vagina, that is heavier than usual and occurs between periods or after menopause.
It can also cause pink-tinged vaginal discharge, as well abdominal pain, bloating and a change in bladder or bowel habits.
Helen Hyndman, lead nurse at the charity Eve Appeal's information service Ask Eve, said: "Primary advanced or recurrent womb (endometrial) cancer has a huge impact on the quality of life for those diagnosed.
"It will offer hope, a better quality of life and improve outcomes for those affected."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
30 minutes ago
- BBC News
Kent mum thanks 10-year-old daughter for saving her life
A mother said she has her daughter to thank when she gets married after she helped to save her life when she had a sudden heart from St Mary's Bay in Kent, was driving with her two children in April when she began to experience nausea, jaw pain and severe chest something was seriously wrong, she managed to pull the car over in a lay-by in Ashford, where her 10-year-old daughter Alice called East Coast Ambulance Service (Secamb) praised Alice, who managed to remain calm and described her mum's symptoms to emergency services on the phone. When paramedics arrived on the scene, they confirmed Rachel was having a "serious heart attack".She was taken to William Harvey Hospital where surgeons discovered a blockage in a major said that thanks to the "courage" of Alice and ambulance colleagues, Rachel received the treatment she needed and was discharged four days later, returning home to her fiancé and two daughters. 'Difference between life and death' Alice has now been awarded with a certificate of bravery from East Kent Hospitals NHS said: "I am so proud of Alice and over the moon that she's been recognised for her bravery that day. "Thanks to her, and the Secamb team, I'll now get to walk down the aisle and marry my partner of 19 years."Paramedic Rachel Lees, who helped to give treatment, added: "It really was a miracle that Alice was in the car with her mum that day and that she knew exactly what to do. "Her quick thinking really was the difference between life and death."
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
The ludicrous health claims celebrities WISH they could RETRACT
Calvin Harris this week shocked fans after sharing photos of his wife Vick Hope 's placenta, in a post announcing the birth of their first child. Instagram images appearing to show the organ being de-hydrated and turned into pills—which have since been hit with an age restriction by the social media site—sparked debate online. Some people claim that eating the placenta after a baby is born has a range of health benefits for new mothers—replenishing iron levels after giving birth and lessening symptoms of post-natal depression. But health bodies including the US Centre for Disease Control (CDC) have long warned there is little evidence at all to support the claims and could even lead to dangerous infections. Since the Scottish DJ's post, several doctors have criticised the move, arguing 'no healthcare professional with any integrity would endorse these pills'. It has also sparked renewed debate around health information—or misinformation—shared online to millions of people. Experts have long warned that growing levels of celeb health endorsements can pose a risk to wellbeing—surveys also suggest that just two per cent of health advice published on social media aligns with public health guidelines. Here, the Daily Mail reflects on five celeb endorsed health claims that have since been debunked by medical professionals. Gwyneth Paltrow's 'garbage' Goop egg In 2017, Gwyneth Paltrow's lifestyle brand Goop infamously released $66 jade 'Yoni eggs.' Goop claimed its jade and rose quartz eggs, which are inserted into the vagina, could balance hormones, regulate menstrual cycles and strengthen pelvic muscles. A since-deleted Goop article also claimed the eggs were 'ideal for detox' and create 'kidney strength.' But soon after the product launched world-leading gynecologist Dr Jen Gunter warned the jade egg could lead to toxic shock syndrome, pelvic pain or painful sex. In an open letter, the author of bestselling books, The Vagina Bible and The Menopause Manifesto, added: 'I read the post on GOOP and all I can tell you is it is the biggest load of garbage I have read on your site since vaginal steaming. 'It's even worse than claiming bras cause cancer. But hey, you aren't one to let facts get in the way of profiting from snake oil.' In 2018, Goop faced legal action, brought by California's consumer protection office, over its unscientific claims about the vaginal eggs and agreed to pay $145,000 (£108,000). Kim Kardashian's 'damaging' weight loss advice In 2018, Kim Kardashian faced fierce backlash over a controversial Instagram post promoting a lollipop which acts as an appetite-suppressant. Kardashian shared an image of herself sucking on the diet snack alongside the caption: 'Plugging the product she captioned the shot: '#ad You guys… @flattummyco just dropped a new product. They're Appetite Suppressant Lollipops and they're literally unreal. Months later, she promoted meal replacement shakes by the same company, claiming she was 'already feeling so good'. At the time, experts argued there was no evidence that this type of diet works well to improve health or even weight loss long term and is only likely to be recommended for severely obese individuals who are at risk of developing diabetes. Even then, this would be done in a controlled environment with medical experts, they added. Months later, following a slew of similar posts by other celebrities, England's top doctor even urged social media companies to ban 'damaging' celebrity-endorsed social media ads promoting weight loss aids. Professor Sir Stephen Powis, the now former NHS medical director, said: 'If a product sounds like it is too good to be true, then it probably is. 'The risks of quick-fix weight loss outweigh the benefits, and advertising these products without a health warning is damaging. 'Highly influential celebrities are letting down the very people who look up to them, by peddling products which are at best ineffective and at worst harmful. 'Social media companies have a duty to stamp out the practice of individuals and companies using their platform to target young people with products known to risk ill health.' 'Snake oil' ear seeds backed by Steven Bartlett Health experts were also stunned last year after Giselle Boxer, from Sheffield, received offers from all six judges on the BBC show Dragons' Den, for a stake in her business Acu Seeds. The mother-of-one ultimately accepted £50,000 from Dragon Steven Bartlett for 12.5 per cent of the business, which sells packets of gold – or silver-plated 'ear seeds' for £30. The seeds, acupuncture beads placed in the ear which falsely claim to cure chronic fatigue condition myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME). ME—myalgic encephalomyelitis—is a disabling, complex illness that affects 250,000 people in the UK. Also known as chronic fatigue syndrome, or ME/CFS, symptoms include pain, brain fog, fatigue and an inability to recover after expending even small amounts of energy. The episode prompted a furious backlash from doctors and ME patients, who accused her of selling 'snake oil' preying on the 'most vulnerable and horribly ill people in society' with no scientific backing to help ME. Such was the furore that it sparked complaints to both the BBC and the Advertising Standards Authority. At the time, Professor David Strain, senior clinical lecturer at the University of Exeter told the Daily Mail: 'There is evidence to suggest acupuncture helps with some types of pain. And some patients I've worked with have said acupuncture has helped with their fatigue. 'There's next to zero evidence ear seeds actually have the same effect as acupuncture.' Tom Cruise's antidepressant rant In a 2005 interview, Tom Cruise criticised actress Brooke Shields' memoir 'Down Came the Rain,' in which she admitted she was prescribed antidepressants to help treat her postnatal depression. He said: 'Here is a woman, and I care about Brooke Shields because I think she is an incredibly talented woman. You look at, where has her career gone?... These drugs are dangerous. 'The thing that I'm saying about Brooke is that there's misinformation. 'She doesn't understand the history of psychiatry... she doesn't know what these drugs are, and for her to promote it is irresponsible.' He added the drugs 'don't cure anything' and said: ''You can use vitamins to help a woman through those things'. Cruise was widely slammed at the time, with Shields taking a swipe at his Scientology beliefs: 'Has he had a baby? Tom should stick to saving the world from aliens and let women decide which treatment is best for them.' In 2006, Shields revealed Cruise had come to her house to personally apologise. Under NHS guidance, antidepressants may be recommended for postnatal depression, particularly for moderate to severe cases or when other treatments, such as talking therapy, has not helped. Doctors will prescribe medication that is safe to take while breastfeeding. Kourtney Kardashian's vaginal wellness gummies She might be one of the world's most famous reality TV stars, but Kourtney Kardashian has since moved into the world of wellness. In 2022, she launched a line of supplements called Lemme, but a year later a new addition to her range—vaginal wellness gummies—sparked fierce backlash from experts. The probiotic claimed to 'specifically target vaginal health and pH levels to support freshness and odour'. But gynecologists said there was 'no merit' to the claim that the tablets can 'target' vaginal wellness. Dr Jen Gunter said: 'Anyone who suggests that your vagina isn't fresh or needs an improved taste is a misogynist and awful person.' LloydsPharmacy also said it was 'normal for vaginas and vaginal fluids to have a slight smell, which will vary according to hormones, activity, hygiene and diet'.
The Guardian
an hour ago
- The Guardian
Experts warn against DIY Botox-like injections available illegally online
People seeking cheap Botox-like injections have been warned by experts against doing it themselves due to the risk of 'eyelid droops', infection and even botulism. There are growing concerns over the availability of medication called Innotox that is being sold illegally online in the UK. Unlike Botox, which comes as a powder that must be reconstituted for use in an injection, Innotox is a ready-to-use liquid – making it easier to self-administer. Wes Streeting, the health secretary, announced plans this week to introduce legislation cracking down on England's cosmetic 'wild west', where there is scant regulation of who can deliver treatments such as dermatological filler and Botox. Experts say Innotox is not licensed for use in the UK, unlike some other liquid Botox-like injections, meaning its quality and safety has not been assessed. Aenone Harper-Machin, a consultant plastic surgeon and spokesperson for the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS), said the online availability of Innotox was frightening and appalling, and she cautioned against DIY jabs. 'People could be giving themselves eyelid droops and all sorts of weird asymmetries by injecting it in the wrong place, too deeply, too superficially. You can inject it into your blood vessel and give yourself botulism,' she said. Products such as Botox and Innotox contain type A botulinum toxin, which blocks nerve signals and prevents muscles from contracting. While botulinum toxin is a prescription-only medicine in the UK, Innotox can be readily bought online without one, amid longstanding concerns about untrained and unregulated providers, as well as unlicensed or counterfeit products. Health officials have said 41 recent cases of botulism poisoning in England have been linked to unlicensed jabs. Harper-Machin has had Botox-like injections but said she would not self-administer them. 'I wouldn't have it done by anybody other than a consultant plastic surgeon who has intimate knowledge of facial anatomy,' she said. Botox jabs have become a routine procedure for many people. The government estimates that about 900,000 such injections are carried out in the UK each year. Despite now being available in high street clinics, their high cost and the regular need for top-up treatment has fuelled a desire for cheaper alternatives. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) says it is unlawful to sell unauthorised medicines, although in certain circumstances unauthorised medicines may be supplied under the supervision of a healthcare professional. Nora Nugent, the president of the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS), said: 'While rare, BAAPS has become aware of isolated but concerning cases of individuals experiencing serious complications following self-injection of botulinum toxin and dermal filler products. 'These include infections, tissue damage and, in extreme cases, the need for multiple surgical interventions. We are aware of cases that have resulted in significant tissue damage and tissue loss needing multiple surgical interventions and resulting in permanent scarring.' Sophie Cooper, the managing director of the Harley Street Skin Clinic, said: 'Content creators on TikTok have been sharing their results from self-injecting Innotox, which has been encouraging viewers to jump on the bandwagon. 'Innotox has been reported to have a simpler injection process, be faster working, longer lasting and be lower in price. In reality, self-injecting Innotox as a Botox alternative comes with many dangers.' Tom Albright, the chief executive of Luvantas, a subsidiary of Medytox, which produces Innotox, said the company became aware in June of the unauthorised importation of Innotox to the US, UK and other countries and alerted Medytox management to the situation. 'Medytox has opened an investigation into this matter and have engaged experts to assist in shutting down the sources of importation,' he said. 'Patient safety is our highest priority. We strongly caution healthcare providers and consumers against purchasing unapproved or misrepresented botulinum toxins through unauthorised channels. Products distributed outside authorised supply chains may not meet safety, efficacy or storage standards.' He added: 'Botulinum toxins should be administered only by qualified healthcare professionals in a medically appropriate setting. Administration requires a deep understanding of facial anatomy and aesthetic principles, which cannot be replicated in consumer-administered or unregulated environments.'
